主题语境练24 选择性必修第三册 UNIT 5 Learning from nature-【赢在微点】2024高考英语大一轮复习顶层设计高考练重点word（新教材新高考）外研版

主题语境练24　选择性必修第三册　UNIT 5 人与自然 限时25分钟 阅读理解　(2023·保定联考)　体裁:说明文　主题语境:自然研究成果与现代技术　难度:★★★★☆ 　　　Mirko Kovac, using collective building methods inspired by natural builders like bees and wasps, has developed a way to improve the flexibility of 3D printing. A typical 3D printer is limited by the range of its nozzle (喷头), and can only make objects smaller than itself. Dr Kovac’s team has removed these restrictions by giving the printer nozzle wings. Writing in the latest edition of Nature, Dr Kovac describes a system of flying robots that is composed of two types of drones (无人机): builders and scanners. The builders carry the 3D⁃printing nozzle. The scanners are robots equipped with cameras that are responsible for monitoring the progress of the builders. The building process alternates between builders and scanners, layer by layer; printing and adjusting, until a structure is complete. First,a builder hovers (盘旋) over its area of operation and begins to release a jet of the building material as it moves along its flight path. The choice of material is important—it must be lightweight enough for the drones to carry but powerful enough to hold the subsequent layers that will be built on top. Once the builder robot has sprayed a layer of material, the scanner robot flies over and inspects the progress. The system then computes the next layer that the builder should make, while also correcting for any errors that might have been discovered in what has already been built. These could be errors made by the builder⁃drones or imperfections in the expansion of the building material. While these robots have been shown to be capable of manufacturing by passing some tests with flying colours, Dr Kovac says their bread and butter will probably be, initially, in repair, fixing building parts in dangerous or otherwise inaccessible places. Nevertheless, thinking more long term, Dr Kovac even sees a potential future for his construction robots, building on the surfaces of the Moon or Mars.